FIRE AND FOREST

Fire Safety and Mitigation

The good news is that the Redhill Forest hasn’t been ravaged by fire since before settlers came to South Park. We have trees over 150 years old. The bad news is a drier climate and human activity absolutely increases the risk of a wildfire.

The overall wildfire risk for Redhill Forest is moderate, but then again, no one ever considered the Marshall neighborhoods south of Boulder a high fire risk in December 2021.

The different kind of ignition risks

In summer the occasional thunderstorm crosses the Redhill ridge with occasional cloud to ground lightning. However, the most likely causes would come from ignition of grass along Colorado 9 from a spark or discarded cigarette, an outside campfire not properly extinguished, or household accident.

Fire is the largest threat to both life and property at Redhill Forest and we have assembled a great deal of valuable information on this page that we strongly encourage all our owners to read.

Required Permit

For owners who camp and owners who have wood fired fire pits, the Northwest Fire Protection District (located just north of US-285 and CO-9) requires a open fire permit. You can learn more by calling NWFPD at (719) 270-2967 (automated number) or 719-836-3150 (non-emergency number) or apply for a permit on-line at: https://nwfpd.burnpermits.com/

Special Note: short terms rental properties are not allowed to have open pit wood fires.

Emergency Fire Response

If you spot a fire in Redhill call 911 immediately. Response time is critical and even with a prompt dispatch from Fairplay, it could take up to 30 minutes for a truck to arrive. Redhill’s community water system has hydrants along all the roads and sufficient water to stop and douse a small lot or house fire. However, if a fire quickly spreads there will not be enough tank capacity and pressure to suppress a larger fire. For a bigger wild land fire NWFPD would likely call for smaller aircraft drop of fire retardant.

In the event of a larger fire emergency, make sure you a fully familiar on how to exit Redhill Forest from either the south or north. People and pets first. Valuables second. Wildfire survivors always talk about how surprised they were at the speed of a fire. Do not underestimate. Get out.

Do your part

How fire safe is your camping pad or home? Do you:

Have an accessible and long hose for a first response?
Have up-to-date fire extinguishers in your kitchen and garage?
Check your fire and carbon monoxide detectors on a periodic basis and replace batteries twice a year?
Have wood burning stoves or fireplace chimneys periodically inspected and cleaned?
Have a spark arrestor on your chimney?
Self-inspect all your gas devices to make sure there is no gas smell and they operate correctly?

How fire resistant is your house? We have found two very helpful guides. The first is one from the Colorado State Forest Service at CSU. It provides lots of information on creating a defensible space around your home and using fire resistant building materials. Click here to download. The second is a even more detailed guide created by the University of Nevada and the USDA which describes how to retrofit your home to be more fire resistant. If you are considering building a house, this guide is well worth reading as you discuss exterior materials with your architect or contractor. Click here to download.

Check your insurance

One of the most heartbreaking and under-reported stories of the 2021 Marshall fire was how under-insured many families were. You should speak with your broker or agent and very, very carefully read your policy coverage. Most policies do not cover full replacement value. Things like foundation replacement and clearing site debris may have limited coverage. And speaking of replacement value, you should revisit your coverage every year or two to make sure that you are adequately insuring replacement cost at the prevailing cost per square foot rates — which have been steadily increasing.

You should also take photos of the exterior, outbuildings, and the interior (shoot four pictures of all walls in each room) to document fixtures, finishes, and personal effects. Store these photos digitally both on a thumb drive (off site) and in a cloud account.

Another insurance coverage you may want to consider is excess liability which for $1-$2+ million of coverage isn’t very expensive. Let’s say you light up a tiki torch on the back deck. Your dog sees a chipmunk nearby and in the chase knocks the torch over. A big fire ensues and three burnt houses and six hours later the event is over. Beyond the insurance claim to rebuild your house, an excess liability policy can help shield you from the cost and potential loss of the inevitable litigation that will follow.

FOREST HEALTH

There are four major tree species in Redhill Forest. Ponderosa and bristlecone pines, which are more on the west side, Douglas firs on the east, and aspens dotted throughout. The bristlecones are our slowest growing and long lived, maybe not the prettiest, but they’re certainly the survivors of the forest.

Over the past fifty years accurate weather tracking at Grand Lake has shown a relentless upwards graph where low winter temperatures have been rising. When we used to have periods of one to two weeks of sub-zero temperatures both the pine beetles and spruce budworm population would have a substantial die-off. But now the winters are not as persistently cold and it’s allowed these pests to devour millions of acres of pines from Northern Canada all the way into Northern Mexico.

Colorado communities have fought these insects with limited success. There are techniques that work, however the size of infestations is economically overwhelming.

Spruce budworm

The spruce budworm is a common pest in Colorado that can cause significant damage to spruce and fir trees. The larvae of the budworm feed on the buds and needles of the trees, which can cause defoliation and reduced tree growth. To prevent infestations, it is important to keep an eye out for signs of the budworm, such as small, brown, cone-like structures on the branches of the tree, and to take steps to remove or control any infestations that are found. This can include using insecticides or other chemical controls, as well as physically removing the budworm by hand. Additionally, maintaining the overall health of the trees through proper pruning and fertilization can help to reduce the risk of infestations. Colorado State University has published a good guide and you can click here to download.

Pine beetle

Pine beetles are a common pest that can cause significant damage to pine trees. To prevent infestations, it is important to take steps to maintain the overall health of the trees, as healthy trees are less susceptible to attacks. This can include proper pruning, fertilization, and irrigation. Additionally, it is important to keep an eye out for signs of infestation, such as small, round holes in the bark, and to take steps to remove or control any infestations that are found as soon as possible.

One of the most effective ways to prevent pine beetle infestations is by removing and destroying any infested trees, as well as any trees that are heavily infested with the beetles. This can be done by cutting down the trees and leaving them to dry in the sun, or by chipping them into small pieces and removing them from the area. Other preventative measures include using insecticides or other chemical controls, and using natural predators such as parasitic wasps or birds to control the beetle population.

Another strategy is to thin out the forest, which can reduce the competition for resources and make it harder for the beetles to move from tree to tree. It's also important to keep the forest healthy by controlling invasive plants and reducing fire risk.

Keep in mind that the measures will vary depending on the local context, and the best solution will be to consult with local forestry experts and entomologist to get a proper diagnosis and plan of action.

PINE-SPECFIC INFORMATION

Bristlecone pines

(Pinus longaeva) are a species of tree that are known for their ability to survive in harsh, arid environments and are considered one of the oldest living organisms on earth. However, they are still susceptible to a number of diseases and pests that can cause damage or death to the tree. Some common diseases that bristlecone pines are susceptible to include:

Fungal diseases such as Armillaria root rot, which can cause the tree's roots to rot and die, and can also spread to other trees in the area.
Needle cast diseases caused by fungal pathogens, that can cause the needles to turn yellow or brown and fall off prematurely.
Pine wilt, a disease caused by a nematode that clogs the tree's water-conducting vessels, causing the needles to turn yellow and the tree to die.
Pine rusts, which can cause yellow or orange spores on the needles and branches, and can weaken the tree over time.
Bark beetles, which can tunnel into the bark of the tree and cause extensive damage or death.
Pine needle scale, which can cause yellowing and stunted growth of the needles.

Ponderosa pines

(Pinus ponderosa) is a species of tree that is widely distributed across western North America and is an important species in many forest ecosystems. Like other trees, ponderosa pines are susceptible to a variety of diseases and pests that can cause damage or death to the tree. Some common diseases that ponderosa pines are susceptible to include:

Fungal diseases such as Armillaria root rot, which can cause the tree's roots to rot and die, and can also spread to other trees in the area.
Needle cast diseases caused by fungal pathogens, that can cause the needles to turn yellow or brown and fall off prematurely.
Pine wilt, a disease caused by a nematode that clogs the tree's water-conducting vessels, causing the needles to turn yellow and the tree to die.
Pine rusts, which can cause yellow or orange spores on the needles and branches, and can weaken the tree over time.
Bark beetles, which can tunnel into the bark of the tree and cause extensive damage or death.
Pine needle scale, which can cause yellowing and stunted growth of the needles.
White pine blister rust, which is caused by a fungus that infects the tree's needles, branches and can ultimately kill the tree.
Diplodia tip blight, a fungal disease that causes shoot and branch dieback and cankers on the branches and trunk, can weaken and kill the tree over time.

Douglas fir

(Pseudotsuga menziesii) is a species of tree that is widely distributed across western North America and is an important species in many forest ecosystems. Like other trees, Douglas firs are susceptible to a variety of diseases and pests that can cause damage or death to the tree. Some common diseases that Douglas firs are susceptible to include:

Fungal diseases such as Armillaria root rot, which can cause the tree's roots to rot and die, and can also spread to other trees in the area.
Needle cast diseases caused by fungal pathogens, that can cause the needles to turn yellow or brown and fall off prematurely.
Pine wilt, a disease caused by a nematode that clogs the tree's water-conducting vessels, causing the needles to turn yellow and the tree to die.
Pine rusts, which can cause yellow or orange spores on the needles and branches, and can weaken the tree over time.
Bark beetles, which can tunnel into the bark of the tree and cause extensive damage or death.
Pine needle scale, which can cause yellowing and stunted growth of the needles.
Cytospora canker, a fungal disease that causes cankers on the branches and trunk and can ultimately kill the tree.
Fusiform rust, a fungal disease that causes swellings on the trunk and branches, it can weaken and kill the tree over time.